Page 8 of The Billionaire's Bride

"Yes, Doc?" I tilt my face toward a wary Weston. His gaze narrows on me.

"I patched him up. You can see him, now."

"Oh, thank God." Ava brushes past him and walks to the room. I watch as she disappears inside. Fuck, I can’t stop her from seeing him. But I can do my best to ensure that she doesn’t think of anyone but me. Doesn’t want to be with anyone but me. Can’t stop loving me. Only me.

I grip my fingers at my sides with such force that pain tears up my arm.

"Easy, ol’ chap," Weston drawls, "you don’t want to burst an artery."

"That would be the least of my worries." I stare at the hospital room door through which she’d disappeared. What’s she doing inside there? Is she touching him? Kissing him? Does he have his hands on her? Are they plotting how to be together? A growl rips up my throat. I take a step forward and Weston grabs my arm. "Don’t be stupid, Masters."

"What-bloody-ever." I try to shake off his arm but his grip tightens. "Rein in your impulses," he cautions. "Don’t do anything that will spoil your chances with her."

I pause, "Why are you so concerned about that?" I shoot him a sideways glance. "Thought you were on Edward’s side."

"I am on the side of whatever—whoever Ava chooses." He tilts his head, "After all, it is her choice."

I press my lips together.

"It is, isn’t it?" he says in a warning tone.

"Of course." I tug on my arm and he releases me this time. "And no one is going to stop me from influencing that." I turn to leave, then look back at him and ask, "The man Edward tried to kill... "

"He's still unconscious."

I stare at him over my shoulder. "And the man who broke into Ava’s studio... he's not conscious yet either?"

He shakes his head. "The bullet punctured one of his lungs but he’ll survive."

"Too bad he’s not dead."

Weston arches an eyebrow. "Look at it this way, between the two of them, we should have, hopefully, enough information to help us track down the kidnappers."

"Bloody incident," I spit out. "When I finally get my hands on those behind the kidnapping, I am going to wring their necks with my bare hands."

"Get in line," Weston says mildly. "So, what are you going to do now?" He looks me up and down.

"What do you mean?" I drawl.

He glances from me to the closed hospital door, then back, "You know what I mean."

"That’s easy," I bare my teeth, "I am going to fight for what’s mine."

4

Ava

"Are you comfortable?" I plump up the pillow behind Edward’s neck.

Following his altercation with Baron, Weston had patched him up again, then given him more pain killers. By the time I’d emerged from Edward’s room, Baron had left. I’d been disappointed, but also realized it was for the best. Standing up to one of them takes everything in me. Going toe-to-toe with two of them? That is nearly impossible. Not something I can do. So, when I hadn’t seen or heard from Baron since, I’d taken it as a sign that I should focus on helping Edward recover. Not that it is something I have to do… But I feel compelled to do so… Maybe a part of Baron feels responsible for Edward getting hurt. After all, he had walked into my studio and saved me. I do owe him…somewhat.

Edward had still been asleep when I’d gone home last night, and when I’d returned today, he had seemed much better. So, I’d headed off to the studio, managed to get in the post-lunch dance class, then returned to check in on him. My plan was to head off for my late evening class, if everything went well. I’d cancelled my dance classes the last two days, but if I could get the ones in today, it would definitely help to keep some money coming in.

This time, he is awake.

I tilt my head in his direction. "There’s one thing I want to ask."

"Anything." He smirks.